Grand-gazebo for the boutique of luxury, Croci Square is half closed and busses are diverted

La Repubblica [14 March 2008]

Four days long opening celebration.The opening of the new fashion boutique of the Giglio chain store dedicated to luxury will leave the sign. The corks of the bottles of champagne will only come off tomorrow night at 17, but already from yesterday morning half of the Croci square has been closed off from traffic for the preparations to be completed in time. And it will stay like this until the end of Sunday, with good peace from the drivers and residents from the area.

A huge part of the square is occupied by an enormous gazebo of 375 square meters, 15 meters by 25, that is going to be transformed into the vodka bar of Cavalli for the exclusive opening of the new sales space. It is exclusive in every sense. The entrance, indeed is only by invitations which have been sent directly to the guests. The luckiest might give it a go in the other Giglio stores.

Drivers and residents of this area are furious, those who arrive in Croci square are not allowed to proceed. All roads in the neighbourhood have been either closed or diverted, a real chaos. The same those taking the bus, longer routes is the best that could happen to you.

Giuseppe Giglio, together with his Father Michele and brother Federico manages the Giglio Group, one of the first five buyers of designer labels in the world, apologies to the town: “ We are sorry for the inconvenience we may cause, but it was necessary for such a big event. The gazebo is going to be transformed into an exclusive lounge bar. The gazebo will be removed early on Sunday, actually no, we will start to take it down on Saturday night to prevent any more inconvenience”.

The Councillor of Traffic. Lorenzo Ceratilo, tried to cool people down: “For those who say that Palermo is always one step back and not into the commercial system. Foe once there is a big group, Giglio in this case, organizing an important event, it is not a big deal. Let’s try to be patient.”